We know we should ‘stand up straight’ and keep our shoulders back for optimal posture. But did you know the potential consequences of not paying attention to our posture? Here are a few to keep in mind the next time you catch your self slouching.

Tendonitis or worse

Have you ever noticed when you’re deep into a task that you’re hunching over and in pain? Uneven distribution of your body weight (this happens when slouching or hunching) puts unwanted pressure on joints and tendons. Not designed to take the extra pressure, the eventual result is often chronic pain.

In the long term, poor posture can lead to tendonitis and eventual injury. In its worst cases, it can severely limit your range of motion. A few tips to keep your upper body posture at bay include trying to stack your ears over your shoulders and your shoulders should be in line with your hips. It may take a bit of getting used to, but it will prevent your joints from collapsing in on each other.

Increased risk of Heart Disease

How you stand impacts the position of your spine and rib cage. Compromising this area, where the heart functions, can increase your risk of heart disease. Additionally, slouching can lead to neck strain, which impedes blood flow and blood pressure. Lastly, consistently leaning forward in your posture can lead to an irregular heart beat, which can have severe consequences.

Breathing Problems

Your lungs need space to function properly. Constant slouching forward can reduce your lung capacity by up to 30%! As a result, you may experience shortness of breath, confusion and lower energy levels. To help remedy this, roll your shoulders onto your back and down from your ears, opening up the chest.

Self-Conscientiousness

Did you know that the way we carry ourselves has a scientific effect on our confidence? Power poses are known to elicit testosterone and decrease the stress hormone cortisol. Just watch this TED talk from Amy Cuddy on the power of posing. Power poses can be as simple as good posture! Keeping your shoulders back and chin parallel to the floor can make a huge difference in how others perceive you and, most importantly, how you perceive yourself!

Overall Fitness Level

The moral of the story? Posture effects everything in your body! You can exercise as much and as intensely as you like, but with poor posture, you’re still putting undue stress on your joints and tendons which can lead to life-altering injuries and conditions.

If you have any questions about how to improve your posture or the impact that it may be having on your body and fitness, please reach out! We’d be happy to put together a program for you or simply chat about measures you can take.